How to Care for Your Hearing Aids (and Not Lose Them)

You woke up this morning feeling a little foggy. It’s been a long week–lots of work, lots of appointments, lots of lunches–and sleep has been elusive. So you reach out for your nightstand, searching for your two reliable hearing aids.

And they aren’t there.

Well, that’s not great, you think. So you search the floor, the creases of the bed–anywhere your hearing aids might be hiding. Where in the world did you put them?

This, you realize after a moment, could be a problem….

A Familiar Scenario?

It’s possible this is a… familiar scenario. It’s also possible this is just one of those scenarios you haven’t experienced yet and instead simply want to avoid. Because losing your hearing aids would be a big deal.

Luckily there are a few simple steps you can take to protect your hearing aids–and, of course, not to lose them.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Hearing Aids

You want to protect that investment. You want those hearing aids to last as long as they possibly can. And that makes a whole lot of sense. Here are some quick, easy tips designed to help you take care of your hearing aids the right way.

Avoid Moisture

The number one enemy of hearing aids (other than those bizarre ultra-quiet rooms) is moisture. And you might think moisture is easy enough to avoid–take your hearing aid out before showering or dancing in the rain (or singing in the rain)–but sometimes that even includes ambient humidity.

That’s especially true if you happen to live somewhere especially humid (anywhere tropical or near a large body of water, basically). So you should always store your hearing aids in a dry place or, in some cases, invest in a dehumidifying container for your hearing aids.

You’ll also want to consider whether your lifestyle contributes to extra moisture. For example, if you like to work out while wearing your hearing aids or sit by the pool with them in your ears.

Clean Regularly

You should clean your hearing aids daily. That’s probably not very sage advice, but it is important to take cleaning seriously. That’s especially true in cases where you can’t see the dirt. Because hearing aids or so small, the type of dirt they tend to collect is also quite small. The trick, then, is to clean your hearing aid regularly–and properly–whether it looks dirty or not.

It’s also a good idea, as long as we’re on the topic, to ensure you’re keeping up with the recommended maintenance schedule and send your hearing aids in for upkeep when necessary. It’s important to both get the occasional professional cleaning, but also to check the fit and whether your hearing itself may have changed. Otherwise, your hearing aids won’t work as they are meant to.

First and foremost, keep your hearing aids in the same place every night. A routine really helps. And it’s for that reason that you should avoid placing your hearing aids in any other foreign matter–such as rice. (While some people think this is a great way to get out moisture, it’s not a good idea.) Generally speaking, putting a pair of tiny hearing aids in a bag of rice is a great way to accidentally throw away (or cook!) your hearing aids. Plus, you don’t want to expose your hearing aid to the fine powder that sometimes results in a bag of rice.

Instead, choose a spot for your hearing aids that is high (away from little hands and pets), dry, and part of your daily routine.

One neat little trick is to put your hearing aids on your charging station every night. That way you know exactly where they are when you wake up in the morning (and if you have rechargeable hearing aids, the batteries will be charged! Win-win!). Developing a routine is going to be your safest bet–and following that routine will be vital.

Also get into the habit of occasionally checking the hearing aids, especially after bending forward, like to put glasses in the dishwasher or to do your laundry. If the hearing aids are not placed properly they can fall out.

Settle Into Your Routine

So, if you had put your hearing aids on your charging station last night, you’d know exactly where to look for them. But since not everyone can be that perfect, you have a couple of options. First, it’s nice to have a backup pair of hearing aids (an older pair, perhaps).

Second, some modern hearing aids are Bluetooth enabled with all kinds of features. In theory, with the right hearing aid and the right app, you could use your smartphone to at least narrow down the possible locations.

It might take you some time, but eventually, you’ll settle into a routine with your hearing aids. And then they’ll just become part of your life–a vital and enriching part of your life that you’ll be able to keep easy track of as long as you put them on their charging station every night.